Tony Romo's leave of absence from CBS is going to last at least a little while longer. CBS Sports president David Berson confirmed Tuesday that there is no timetable for the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback's return to the broadcast booth following his July 23 arrest for operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) in Wisconsin.
CBS Sports placed Romo on leave "until further notice" on July 31, just days after the body camera footage from his traffic stop and subsequent arrest became an Internet sensation. The network has since replaced Romo with J.J. Watt, who will join Jim Nantz in the broadcast booth for CBS's top games.
Romo, 46, has a court date set for September 21. CBS's first assignment for Romo would have been their showcase game of Week 1, with the Green Bay Packers facing the Minnesota Vikings on September 13. However, with Romo's status uncertain, CBS is now considering the impact on their image.
CBS Sports president David Berson emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive image for the network. "We have to consider the impact on our image or our brand," Berson said during a news conference on Tuesday. Berson added that the focus should be on CBS's presentation and product, rather than on any other factors.
Romo's legal troubles are still an evolving situation, with no clear timeline for a potential return to the broadcast booth. Berson said that CBS is still assessing the situation, with no timetable yet for a potential return. The network has a deep bench of talent, and Berson is proud of the way the team has stepped up and responded to Romo's absence.
The decision to replace Romo with J.J. Watt is a temporary one, and it remains to be seen how long Watt will be in the broadcast booth. With Romo's court date set for September 21, it's likely that the network will continue to assess the situation and make a decision about Romo's future with CBS in the coming weeks.
For now, CBS is focused on maintaining a positive image and ensuring that their presentation and product remain top-notch. With Romo's future with the network uncertain, it's clear that CBS is taking a cautious approach to the situation. The network will likely continue to monitor the situation and make a decision about Romo's return to the broadcast booth when the time is right.
Source: Yahoo Sports